Irma Thomas Biography

Irma Lee, 18 February 1941, Ponchatoula, Louisiana, USA. The Soul Queen Of New Orleans was discovered in 1958 by band leader Tommy Ridgley. Her early records were popular locally, but an R&B hit came in 1960 with (You Can Have My Husband But Please) Dont Mess With My Man. The following year Thomas rejoined producer/writer Allen Toussaint, with whom she had worked on her first recordings. This reunion resulted in two of Irmas finest singles, Its Raining and Ruler Of My Heart (1962), the latter a prototype for Otis Reddings Pain In My Heart. After signing with the Imperial Records label in 1963 Thomas recorded Wish Someone Would Care (1964), which reached the US Top 20, while the follow-up, Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand), also entered the national chart. This single is better recalled for its b-side, Time Is On My Side, which was successfully covered by the Rolling Stones.

Thomas continued to record excellent singles without achieving due commercial success. Her final hit was a magnificent interpretation of Good To Me (1968), recorded at Muscle Shoals and issued on Chess Records. She then moved to Canyon, Roker and Cotillion, before appearing on Swamp Doggs short-lived Fungus label with In Between Tears (1973). Thomas continued to record fine albums for the Rounder Records label throughout the 80s and 90s and she remains a highly popular live attraction. Her career has continued into the new millennium with regular studio albums and a planned biography.

Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.